Disappointed with Blu-Ray

[Buckeye_Nut]

I agree that not all HD movies will knock you out of your seat or look noticably better than SD. However, if you watch BD for a while and then go back to SD the difference is quite dramatic. So stating that you have seen in store demos is not proof you are a good source of information regarding this topic. BTW store demos are rarely calibrated so your not even getting close to a good picture.

An observation I have made is that BD / HD DVD look better on the new fixed pixel digital displays (Plasma, LCD, DLP, LCoS) using an HDMI connection. CRT HDTVs do not give you the same pixel for pixel quality you get from these newer TVs. Spend a few hours on a 1080p LCD or DLP watching BD / HD DVD and I am sure all those sitting on the fence would have an easier time jumping in.

The worst is watching 1-2 blu-rays on a movie night, then finishing up the night with a dvd. Once you get used to the pq, going in the opposite direction is a pretty drastic change. Because of that, if I ever do have a DVD to watch, I always try to get that one out of the way first. If you watch it last, it's like watching a blurry out of focus picture by comparison. By watching it first, it doesn't look as bad....LOL

 

[Jacksmyname]

My stuff:
Denon 2930CI player
Tosh XA2 HD-DVD player
Sony 46XBR4 display
I sit about 11 feet away from the tv and have no problem seeing the difference in PQ between SD and HD, depending on how good the source material is. While I have no experience with BluRay, I can say that HD discs on my setup are amazing, *DEPENDING* on the quality of the disc itself. SD discs on either of my players are also amazing, *DEPENDING* on the quality of the disc. Some SD's are so good it's hard to imagine them being much better in HD. Some HD's are only so-so.
I sometimes think my wife has the right attitude. While she appreciates good picture and sound, she's much more concerned about the movie/music itself. (no WAF here, but I do have MAF to contend with; MAF=MyAcceptanceFactor

 

[mfabien]

...
I sometimes think my wife has the right attitude. While she appreciates good picture and sound, she's much more concerned about the movie/music itself. (no WAF here, but I do have MAF to contend with; MAF=MyAcceptanceFactor

If you love music and recorded concerts, a BD video in uncompressed 5.1 PCM is very much more enjoyable compared to DD or DTS.

Check this out:

http://www.sonybmg.com/blu-ray/

 

[Joe Schmoe]

An observation I have made is that BD / HD DVD look better on the new fixed pixel digital displays (Plasma, LCD, DLP, LCoS) using an HDMI connection. CRT HDTVs do not give you the same pixel for pixel quality you get from these newer TVs. Spend a few hours on a 1080p LCD or DLP watching BD / HD DVD and I am sure all those sitting on the fence would have an easier time jumping in.

It may well be that SD vs BD makes a bigger difference on fixed-pixel displays. These remain, however, inferior to direct-view CRT in terms of overall PQ. In fact, the reason I have held off on buying a flat-panel this long is that none of them so far can compete with my tube. Black levels, in particular, are not even in the ballpark.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I think some people are meant to have a small tube TV for their entire lives.

LOL

 

[j_garcia]

It may well be that SD vs BD makes a bigger difference on fixed-pixel displays. These remain, however, inferior to direct-view CRT in terms of overall PQ. In fact, the reason I have held off on buying a flat-panel this long is that none of them so far can compete with my tube. Black levels, in particular, are not even in the ballpark.

I'm with Joe on this one - I still have a CRT because it has a gorgeous picture. I happened to be reading the mailer from Crutchfield and it said for my set 7ft is right, and I am right around 8, so I guess I am in the ballpark and that is why it looks good.